Apple Inc. (AAPL) announced Monday that Tim Cook will transition to executive chairman, while John Ternus will become CEO effective September 1. Ternus has served as senior vice president of hardware engineering since 2021. He will lead the company after 25 years focused on product development across iPhone, Mac, iPad, AirPods and Apple Watch.
Key Takeaways:
- John Ternus becomes Apple CEO September 1 after 25 years in hardware engineering.
- TECL offers 300% daily tech exposure with 8.2% Apple weighting.
- VERS and CARZ link Apple to metaverse and vehicle technology themes.
The leadership shift puts a hardware engineering veteran at the top as Apple continues developing spatial computing, augmented reality and other emerging technologies. The press release notes that Ternus led Apple’s work on MacBook Neo and oversaw last fall’s redefined iPhone lineup.
His background in materials innovation and product durability also drove advancements like recycled aluminum compounds introduced across multiple product lines and 3D printed titanium in Apple Watch Ultra 3, the company said.
Cook became CEO in 2011. He oversaw Apple’s expansion from a market capitalization of approximately $350 billion to $4 trillion, the press release states. Yearly revenue grew from $108 billion in fiscal 2011 to more than $416 billion in fiscal 2025. His tenure included the introduction of new product categories like Apple Watch, AirPods and Apple Vision Pro. Cook also led the growth of Apple Services into a more than $100 billion business.
The transition at one of the world’s most valuable companies creates an opportunity for investors to position around Ternus’s hardware-focused leadership. Four ETFs combine Apple exposure with distinct strategies — from leveraged tech plays to thematic bets on mobility and spatial computing.
Leveraged, Thematic and Active Approaches
For the most concentrated bet on near-term tech momentum, the Direxion Daily Technology Bull 3X Shares (TECL) holds an 8.2% weight in Apple, according to ETF Database.
The fund seeks 300% of S&P Global’s Technology Select Sector Index’s daily return, offering an amplified play for traders expecting Ternus’s hardware expertise to act as a catalyst for the broader tech sector. The strategy posted a 35.6% gain over the past month, reflecting strong technology sector performance.
A different angle comes from the First Trust S-Network Future Vehicles & Technology ETF (CARZ), which holds a 4.5% Apple allocation while targeting the electric and autonomous vehicle ecosystem, ETF Database shows.
That positioning frames Apple within the smart mobility and in-car software narrative as a new CEO takes control. The fund delivered a 15.9% return over the past month.
See more: Put the Tesla Pedal to the Metal With These ETFs
The ProShares Metaverse ETF (VERS) focuses on companies driving augmented reality, virtual reality and spatial computing. Ternus’s background in hardware engineering makes VERS a targeted way to play Apple’s future in the Vision Pro ecosystem and AR development as a core pillar of his CEO mandate. The fund gained 15.4% over the past month, with a 4.5% Apple position, according to ETF Database.
Rounding out the group is the iShares Technology Opportunities Active ETF (TEK). The actively managed fund targets both established tech giants and high-growth disruptors. TEK relies on discretionary management rather than passive indexing to navigate structural changes at the top of Apple’s leadership hierarchy. The fund posted a 14.5% return over the past month, and takes a 6.5% holding in Apple, ETF Database shows.
For more news, information, and strategy, visit ETF Trends.
Originally published on ETF Trends
VettaFi LLC (“VettaFi”) is the index provider for CARZ, for which it receives an index licensing fee. However, CARZ is not issued, sponsored, endorsed, or sold by VettaFi, and VettaFi has no obligation or liability in connection with the issuance, administration, marketing, or trading of CARZ.
A message from Advisor Perspectives and VettaFi: Discover something new! Click here to register for our upcoming webcasts.
Read more commentaries by VettaFi
